During GDC, we got an advance look at a preview build of The Hobbit from Inevitable Entertainment/Sierra. The build we played was only around 50%-60% complete, but it was a good look into what it’s going to be like to be Bilbo Baggins.
The Hobbit is an action-adventure game with platform elements. Think of a Zelda-like Sly Cooper and you’re on the right track. It’s based on the book, and Inevitable Entertainment had the guidance of everything Tolkien from Tolkien Enterprises.
The player assumes the role of Bilbo Baggins, and ventures through familiar landscapes like Laketown, Mirkwood Forest, Misty Mountain, and Smaug’s Lair. You meet plenty of familiar faces along the way including Gandalf, Thorin, Smaug, Elrond, and even Gollum. The Hobbit has 10 chapters (levels) that should have roughly 20 hours of gameplay. There are also side quests to find which should add about 10 more hours.
The level design is on par with your average platform game. Enter area, meet baddies, fight baddies, move forward, get gems. Gems (Rupees anyone?) can be used to buy health and items. There are also simple puzzles littered throughout the environments, but nothing overly difficult. The game is directed to an audience that’s around 10-16 years old.
Gameplay wise, The Hobbit uses lock-on targeting like Zelda, and its action/battle elements seem to borrow some of the feel as well. You’ll encounter a lot of enemies, mini-bosses, and bosses though out the game. Weapons include a walking stick, sword (Sting), and different kinds of throwing rocks. One neat feature of the walking stick is that it can be used to help Bilbo perform pole vaults to get across large gaps.
Once Bilbo gets the ring, you’ll be able to use it to turn invisible. In The Hobbit, it’s not bad to wear the ring, and temporarily you’ll be able to sneak around unnoticed. But the ring has its own personality and will jump off when the ring timer depletes, so you won’t be able to use it all the time.
Music was done by the Slackmates, and incorporates a full orchestra. It’s extremely high quality, and compliments the gameplay and cutsceens well. The GameCube version is said to support Dolby 2, but that hasn’t been confirmed for the final version. Professional voice actors were used, and there are over 100 different voices in the game.
Inevitable Entertainment did not have free reign with The Hobbit license, and had to pass everything by Tokien Enterprises before the game could go out. But with full access to sketches, notes, and anything Tolkein, the game has a very distinct feel to it. According to Sierra, there was a lot of input made to make the Hobbit true to the Tolkien universe.
Even though targeted at a younger demographic, fans of the series should be happy with the way The Hobbit is progressing. Be on the look out for The Hobbit this fall.
